“Our two PGA instructors offer lessons at $40 for one-half hour,” Loudon said.

Thirty-eight of the 50, lighted stalls are covered. A small bucket of 40-45 balls costs $4. A large bucket of 70-75 balls costs $6. For children 15 and younger, a junior bucket of 110 balls costs $7.

Golfers have also improved their skills at the Timber Falls Putting Course, part of the NW Golf Range complex. Loudon and business associates plan to build a putting green between the driving range and putting course.

“We give our customers whatever they need,” Loudon said. “Our staff has been trained at PING, the leader of club fitting.”

According to www.pinggolf.com, a golfer’s height, fingertip-to-floor-measurement, stance, build and swing determine club specifications, including shaft strength and flexibility.

A club fitting at the NW Golf Pro Shop costs $40, which is credited towards clubs bought at the pro-shop.

“Our clubs are returned bent every-which-way,” said Harvey Hink, assistant pro at the Village Greens Golf Course, Port Orchard. “I repair almost every type of club.”

“From Nov. through Jan., we give golfers a good deal,” said Hink. “For a monthly fee, they can choose to hit a large bucket of balls at the driving range or play the course. The fee includes clubs.”

The fee is $80 a month for adults, $70 for military personnel and seniors and $60 for high school kids.

From Feb. through Oct., a large bucket of 130-135 balls costs $6. A small bucket of 45-50 balls costs $4.

“Nine covered stalls face north, which are rarely exposed to wind or rain,” Hink said. “Ninety-nine percent of the wind is to the golfer’s back.”

“We’re the only place around where kids, 10-16, get free lessons all summer,” he said. “Every Thursday is junior day, starting at 1 p.m. Kids get an hour’s lesson. Clubs are included. Kids’ lessons start the second Thursday after school is out. They end approximately two weeks before school starts.”

The cost of adults’ lessons depends upon the instructor. Hink charges $80 for three lessons or $50 for one-half hour. Hathaway charges $60 for three lessons or $35 for one-half hour.

“The difference in price is because I’m an old guy, and he’s a young guy,” Hink said. “You pay for experience and reputation.”

The reputation of Kitsap County Greens has included a smile for every customer.

“I like to think that most people are friends,” said Brian Bignold, owner of Kitsap County Greens Driving Range, Kingston. “Our customers are locals.”

Bignold and his wife, Kim, have owned the driving range for almost three years. Road construction crews have been widening N.E. W. Kingston Road, the road to Kitsap County Greens.

“Road construction isn’t keeping customers away,” Bignold said.

Customers have the option of 24 driving-range stations. Ten are covered, nine are uncovered and five situated off-the-grass.

A large bucket of 115 balls costs $6. Seniors pay $5. A small bucket of 60 balls costs $4. Seniors pay $3.50.

“We are genuinely interested in our customers’ golf game,” Bignold said.

”We’re always willing to give some free golf instruction.”

In addition, four golf instructors give golf lessons, ranging from $25 to $35 for one-half hour. Bignold said that he is planning a miniature golf course. “The kids can play while the parents play,” he said.

Bignold teaches golf to 17 high school girls. He is the head coach of the Kitsap Girls’ High School golf team, called the Vikings.

Golf instruction and driving ranges are found at various golf facilities in Kitsap County, including Gold Mountain Golf Course, Gorst, and Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, Port Orchard. The natural-grass driving range at Gold Mountain Golf Course accommodates 40 players at a time. A large bucket of 80 balls costs $6. A small bucket of 40 balls costs $3.50. Members of high school golf teams pay $1 for 40 balls.

At Horseshoe Lake Golf Course, a large bucket of 90 balls costs $6. A medium bucket of 40 balls costs $4, and a small bucket of 30 balls costs $2.50. Golf instruction ranges from $30-$35 for one-half hour.